Slat or louver reinforcement



C. V. HYMEL.

QLAT 0R LOUVER REINFORCEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 26, I917.

Patefited Nov. 9, 1920.

CLEMENT VICTOR HYMEL, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

SLAT OR LOUVER REINFORCEMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1920.

Application filed April 26. 1917. Serial No. 164,757.

I '0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLEMENT Vroron HY- MEL, a citizen of the UnitedStates, resldlng at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State ofLouisiana, have invented certain useful Improvements in Slat or LouverReinforcements, of which the following 1s a specification, referencebeing had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The invention relates to a slat or louver reinforcement, and moreparticularly to the class of menders for slats in window blinds orshutters.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter wherein the end. or ends of a slat used in blinds or shutterscan be reinforced to pre vent the same from splitting or breaking whenin such shutter or blind and thus assuring longevity to the latter.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a reinforcement ormender of this theracter wherein the construction thereof permits itsconvenient application to the slat and will materially strengthen thesame and afford a pivot stud for the slat to replace the original pivotstud of the slat which latter frequently becomes unfit for pivotalmounting in the frame of the blind or shutter.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a reinforcement ofthis character which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable andefficient in operation, strong, durable and inexpensive in manufacture.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter set forth.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a blind or shutter with its slatsor louvers showing the reinforcement or mender constructed in accordancewith the invention applied;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary edge elevation of the slat with the mender orreinforcement thereon;

Fig. 4: is a plan view of the device prior to the bending or shapingthereof.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates a portion of the frameof a blind or shutter and B the slats, each being of the ordinary wellknown construction, and on the end of each of said slats is mounted thereinforcement or mender hereinafter fully described.

The reinforcement or mender comprises a body preferably made from metal,includ ing a medial portion 5 and side wings 6 which are foldable uponcrease lines 7 longitudinally of the body, the wings 6 being coextensivewith the medial portion 5 which is adapted to abut the end of the slatwhen the pivot stud is broken therefrom, while the wings 6, when folded,overlap opposite side faces of said slat. It is, of course, understoodthat the body is made in the proper size according to the width andthickness of the slat, which slats vary in different makes of blinds orshutters. On the opposite ends of the wings 6 are bendable tongues 7which are foldable on the crease lines 8 so that the tongues 7 of eachpair at opposite ends of the wings 6 will lie one upon the other, andpassed therethrough are brads or nails, although other like fastenerscan be employed, which are driven into the slat, thus securing thereinforcement or. mender in place and firm on the slat for preventingthe breaking thereof or the splitting of the same, as the body embracesthe end of the slat and forms a socket therefor.

Formed centrally of the medial portion.

5 is a stud 1.0 providing a pivot In for the slat when hung or placed inthe frame of the shutter or blind in the ordinary well known manner.

It will be apparent that when the body is shaped to fit the slat it willform a thimble or ferrule therefor so that the slat is reinforced at itsend. and this mender or reinforcement with its stud serves as a pivotconnection between the frame of the blind or shutter and the slat, aswill be obvious.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, the construction and operation of the hereindescribed slat mender will be readily apparent and, therefore, a moreextended ex planation has been omitted.

soi

Having thus described my invention, I

dial portion may he made to abut the end of a slat and the side ings theside faces thereof, the side Wings having tongues eX- tending from theiropposite ends for folding down against the opposite edges of the slat,the tongues of one Wing lying on top of the tongues of the other Wingwhen in such bent position, and fasteners passing through the tonguesfor engagementwith the 1 edges of the slat, whereby the Wings throughouttheir length may be made to lie snugly against the sides of a slatdespite its varied thickness With reference to another slat of likecharacten' Intestnnony whereof I afiix my signature.

CLEMENT VICTOR HYMEL.

